Adam:> The second question is from verse 10, in which EPI ERGOIS
AGAQOIS is always
> translated "for good works" or "unto good works." BDAG does list
EPI +
> dative as indicating object or purpose.but not until def. 16.
Wallace (in
> "Basics of New Testament Syntax") & BDAG def. 6 show EPI + dative as
> indicating "basis for a state of being, action or result. Would it
be wrong
> to translate this as "created in Christ Jesus on the basis of good
works."?
> This seems to fit the context of the book if we view the "good
works" as
> having been done by God, not us.
In learning languages, the use of the preposition is one of the most
challenging. Greek is no exception. It is important in any case to
determine what the adverbial idea of the prepositional phrase is, and
what whole phrase modifies. In this case it modifies KTISQENTES by
clarifying why (for what purpose) we were "created in Christ Jesus"
It is a farily widespread use of EPI + Dative in the sense of "an
end" or "purpose" (See LSJ, s.v. "EPI") in Classical as well as Koine
Greek. Examples range from the Oddessy EPI DORWi "for supper," to
Herodotus EPI KAKWi "for mischief," as well as Xenophon who has DHSAI
EPI QANATWi "to put in bonds for death," to Herodotus, EP' EXAGWGHi.
In the New Testament, besides Eph. 2:10, this usage persists (Gal
5:13; 1 Th 4:7; 2 Tim 2:14), all of which, along with Eph 2:10 are
listed in BDAG as a "marker of object or purpose."
Yancy Smith
Y.W.Smith at tcu.edu
Brite Divinity School
Texas Christian University